Automatic fire extinguisher



Nov. 15, 1955 HICKS AUTOMATIC FIRE EXTINGUISHER Fild Jan. 25, 1954 'mss-aenL INVENTOR. mflfitdj T/POY HICK ATTORN sr United States Patent Oflice 2,723,722 Patented Nov. 15, 1955 AUTOMATIC FIRE EXTKNGUHSHER Marcus Troy Hicks, Kenton, Tenn.

Application January 25, 1954, Serial No. 465,795

4 Claims. (Cl. 16926) This invention relates to improvements in fire extinguishers and more particularly to an extinguisher which is automatically controlled by adjacent fire.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a fire extinguisher which may be placed in attics near flues and particularly where inflammable material is stored, this with a view toward causing automatic operation of the extinguisher, should fire reach the controlling element of the extinguisher.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic fire extinguisher which includes a source of extinguishing fluid under pressure and a nozzle for spraying the fluid, the nozzle being normally cased in fragmentational seal adapted to be scattered by an explosive element situated adjacent thereto, in order to free the nozzle for immediate operation.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a simplified fire extinguisher which is substantially foolproof and positive acting in all respects.

These and various other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the following description.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the fire extinguisher with a portion of the tank in section.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional end elevational view (enlarged) of the nozzle and adjacent to structure.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary elevational view showing the glass seal fragmentated at the discharge of the explosive cap.

Referring to the drawing wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen that numeral denotes a tank for containing a fire extinguishing fluid 11. The fluid in this tank is normally under air compression, the air being admitted to the tank 10 through a conventional air valve 12. A filler neck and enclosure therefore denoted by numeral 13 is provided at the top of the tank.

Depending from the tank is a tube 14 of suitable material, terminating at its lower end in a nozzle 15 and this nozzle may be constructed to spray fire extinguishing fluid in any desired direction.

When this apparatus is set up for use, the nozzle 15 is encased in a body or seal 16 which may be of glass, plastic or any desired fragmentational material and attached or positioned adjacent to or against this seal 16 is an explosive cap 17 from which a fuse 18 depends.

It can now be seen, that should a fire occur anywhere adjacent the fuse 18, the fuse 18 will start to burn and when the burning condition reaches the explosive cap 17, the explosive cap will be discharged, shattering and scattering the seal 16 and with the result that the nozzle 15' is cleared and free to spray the extinguishing fluid 11, under pressure, on to any adjacent fire.

While the foregoing description sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

-Iaving describtd the invention what is claimed as new is:

1. An automatic fire extinguisher comprising a pressured fire extinguishing fluid line, said line being provided with a discharge structure, a fragmentational seal for said structure a fire responsive explosive element at the seal for fragmentating and scattering the seal upon explosion, said structure being in the form of a spray nozzle, said seal encasing the discharge portion thereof.

2. An automatic fire extinguisher comprising a pressured fire extinguishing fluid line, said line being provided with a discharge structure, a fragmentational seal for said structure a fire responsive explosive element at the seal for fragmentating and scattering the seal upon explosion, said structure being in the form of a spray nozzle, said seal encasing the discharge portion thereof, said explosive element being in the form of a cap partly embedded in said seal.

3. An automatic fire extinguisher comprising a pressured fire extinguishing fluid line, said line being provided with a discharge structure, a fragmentational seal for said structure a fire responsive explosive element at the seal for fragmentating and scattering the seal upon explosion, said structure being in the form of a spray nozzle, said seal encasing the discharge portion thereof, said explosive element being in the form of a cap partly embedded in said seal and a fuse extending from said cap.

4. An automatic fire extinguisher comprising a portable container provided with a fire extinguishing liquid therein, a tube depending from the container and provided with a spray nozzle at its lower end, a fracturable seal for the nozzle acting as a closure therefor, an explosive cap partly embedded in the seal and provided with a depending fuse.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

